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Sang Hyuk Lee

Sungkyunkwan University · Medicine

About the Lab

Professor Sang Hyuk Lee's research lab focuses on the molecular mechanisms underlying head and neck squamous cell carcinoma (HNSCC) and thyroid cancer, with a particular emphasis on cancer stem cells, signaling pathways such as Wnt/β-catenin, and epigenetic regulation. The lab investigates tumor progression, lymph node metastasis, and the tumor microenvironment, including angiogenesis and fibrotic responses. It also explores therapeutic strategies using agents like valproic acid and stem cell-based therapies to target cancer stemness and improve treatment outcomes. The research integrates molecular oncology, immunohistochemistry, and translational studies to identify predictive biomarkers and novel therapeutic targets.

cancer stem cellshead and neck cancerthyroid cancerlymph node metastasisepigenetic regulation

Research Overview

Papers
122
Total Citations
1,084
Papers (5y)
23
Primary Field
Medicine

Research Output Trend

Figures are computed from collected data and may differ slightly.

Publications per year (5y)
23total
2022
2023
2024
2025
2026
Citations per year (5y)
52total
20222023202420252026

Selected Papers

15
1
Article|128 citations·2014
Wnt/β‐catenin signalling maintains self‐renewal and tumourigenicity of head and neck squamous cell carcinoma stem‐like cells by activating Oct4
Sang Hyuk Lee, Bon Seok Koo, Jin‐Man Kim, Songmei Huang, Young Soo Rho, Woo Jin Bae, Hyun Jung Kang, Young Sook Kim, Jung Hwa Moon, Young Chang Lim
SJR Q1The Journal of Pathology

Accumulating evidence suggests that a distinct subpopulation of cancer stem cells (CSCs) is responsible for tumour initiation and progression in head and neck squamous cell carcinoma (HNSCC). Wnt/β-catenin signalling is essential for stem cell regulation and tumourigenesis, but its molecular mechanism in HNSCC CSCs remains unknown. We investigated whether Wnt/β-catenin signalling regulates self-renewal and tumourigenicity of HNSCC stem-like cells in vitro and in vivo. Cytoplasmic/nuclear β-caten

OncologyMedicine
2
Article|112 citations·2013
Epigallocatechin-3-gallate attenuates head and neck cancer stem cell traits through suppression of Notch pathway
Sang Hyuk Lee, Hyo Jung Nam, Hyun Jung Kang, Hye Won Kwon, Young Chang Lim
SJR Q1European Journal of Cancer
OncologyMedicine
3
Article|50 citations·2009
Anatomical variations of the spinal accessory nerve and its relevance to level IIb lymph nodes
Sang Hyuk Lee, Jong‐Kyu Lee, Sung Min Jin, Jin Hwan Kim, Il‐Seok Park, Hyung Ro Chu, Hwoe Young Ahn, Young Soo Rho
SJR Q1Otolaryngology

OBJECTIVE: This study was conducted to identify anatomical variations of the spinal accessory nerve (SAN) in the upper neck, the landmark of the anterior and inferior border of level IIb, and to evaluate the nerve's effect on the border and the number of lymph nodes (LNs) in level IIb. STUDY DESIGN AND SETTING: Case series with planned data collection. SUBJECTS AND METHODS: A total of 181 neck dissections (NDs) were prospectively enrolled in this study. The relation between the SAN and adjacent

SurgeryMedicine
4
Article|27 citations·2011
Vocal fold wound healing after injection of human adipose-derived stem cells in a rabbit model
Seok Jin Hong, Sang Hyuk Lee, Sung Min Jin, Soon Young Kwon, Kwang‐Yoon Jung, Min Kyung Kim, Ho Park, Kyo Won Lee
SJR Q2Acta Oto-Laryngologica

In comparison with the right vocal folds, there was significantly less granulation tissue in the hADSCs-injected left vocal folds (p < 0.05). Histological examination revealed excessive collagen deposition and perichondral fibrosis in the right vocal folds, whereas the left vocal folds exhibited better wound healing and less collagen deposition (p < 0.05). Among the 12 specimens injected with hADSCs, 4 specimens demonstrated viable hADSCs under immunofluorescent cytochemistry.

GeneticsMedicine
5
Article|27 citations·2010
Expression of cell‐cycle regulators (cyclin D1, cyclin E, p27kip1, p57kip2) in papillary thyroid carcinoma
Sang Hyuk Lee, Jong‐Kyu Lee, Sung Min Jin, Kyung Chul Lee, Jin Hee Sohn, Seung Wan Chae, Dong Hoon Kim
SJR Q1Otolaryngology

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the expression of cell-cycle regulators in papillary thyroid carcinoma in relation to lymph node metastatic features, and to determine whether immunohistochemical staining of cell-cycle markers can predict lymph node metastasis. STUDY DESIGN: Cross-sectional study of prior surgical specimens. SETTING: Academic tertiary referral center. SUBJECTS AND METHODS: We reviewed the clinical records of patients who had undergone surgery for thyroid cancer and follicular adenoma betw

Endocrinology, Diabetes and MetabolismMedicine
6
Article|26 citations·2008
Paper-patch myringoplasty with CO2 laser for chronic TM perforation
Sang Hyuk Lee, Sung Min Jin, Kyung Chul Lee, Myung Gu Kim
SJR Q1European Archives of Oto-Rhino-Laryngology
OtorhinolaryngologyMedicine
7
Article|22 citations·2015
Valproic acid suppresses the self-renewal and proliferation of head and neck cancer stem cells
Sang Hyuk Lee, Hyo Jung Nam, Hyun Jung Kang, Tina L. Samuels, Nikki Johnston, Young Chang Lim
SJR Q1Oncology ReportsOA

Emerging evidence suggests that cancer cells present profound epigenetic alterations in addition to featuring classic genetic mutations. Valproic acid (VPA), a histone deacetylase inhibitor, can potently inhibit tumor growth and induce differentiation. However, the effect and underlying mechanism of VPA on head and neck squamous cell carcinoma (HNSCC) cancer stem cells (CSCs) remain unclear. In the present study we investigated the effects of VPA on the characteristics of HNSCC CSCs in vitro and

Molecular BiologyBiochemistry, Genetics and Molecular Biology
8
Article|17 citations·2012
Relationships between Lymph Node Metastasis and Expression of CD31, D2-40, and Vascular Endothelial Growth Factors A and C in Papillary Thyroid Cancer
이상혁, 이성진, 진성민, 이노희, 김동훈, 채승완, 손진희, 김원석

Objectives. To investigate the relationships between lymph node metastasis (LNM) and expression of CD31, D2-40 and vascular endothelial growth factors (VEGF)-A and -C in patients with papillary thyroid cancer (PTC). Methods. Paraffin-embedded thyroid tissues of 72 patients were evaluated, which included 25 patients with thyroid nodular hyperplasia (TNH), 24 PTC patients without LNM, and 23 PTC patients with LNM. Three pathologists, who were blinded to the patient’s clinical information, assessed

9
Article|13 citations·2008
Medial fracturing of the inferior turbinate: effect on the ostiomeatal unit and the uncinate process
Kyung Chul Lee, Seung Suk Lee, Jong‐Kyu Lee, Sang Hyuk Lee, Sang Hyuk Lee, Sang Hyuk Lee
SJR Q1European Archives of Oto-Rhino-Laryngology
OtorhinolaryngologyMedicine
10
Article|9 citations·2013
Plasma Gel as a New Augmentation Material for Injection Laryngoplasty in Rabbit Model: Histologic Analysis
Seok Jin Hong, Sang Hyuk Lee, Sang Hyuk Lee, Sung Min Jin, Seon Uk Lee, Seon Uk Lee, Se Hyung Huh, Dong Hoon Kim, Soon Young Kwon, Seung Hoon Woo
SJR Q1Otolaryngology

OBJECTIVES: Currently, a variety of materials are available for the treatment of glottal insufficiency. Ideal injection materials should be inexpensive, easily obtainable, nontoxic, and biocompatible. Plasma gel has recently been developed as an injectable, autologous material used in plastic surgery. The aim of this study was to evaluate the histological changes in rabbit vocal folds (VFs) after an injection of plasma gel, compared with collagen (Artecoll) or hyaluronic acid (Reviderm Intra). S

PhysiologyMedicine
11
Article|9 citations·2019
Induction of squamous cell carcinoma after MAP3K8 overexpression in murine salivry gland epithelial cells
Jun‐Han Lee, Joseph H. Jeong, Tae Hwan Kim, So‐yeon Kim, Kyung‐Eun Kim, Je Kyung Seong, Sang Hyuk Lee
SJR Q1Head & Neck

BACKGROUND: Salivary gland neoplasms are relatively rare and comprise only 1%-4% of all human neoplasms. Salivary gland neoplasms also show an extremely wide range of morphological diversity. Currently, the genetic alterations and corresponding molecular mechanisms underlying salivary gland neoplasms development remain largely unknown. METHOD: We generated an inducible Tet-MAP3K8::MMTV-rTA mouse model by crossing the MAP3K8 transgenic mice with MMTR-rTA transgenic mice to express MAP3K8 in the s

SurgeryMedicine
12
Article|7 citations·2024
CDKN2A Homozygous Deletion Is a Stronger Predictor of Outcome than IDH1/2-Mutation in CNS WHO Grade 4 Gliomas
Sang Hyuk Lee, Tae Gyu Kim, Kyeong Hwa Ryu, Seok‐Hyun Kim, Young Zoon Kim
SJR Q1BiomedicinesOA

Background: We primarily investigated the prognostic role of CDKN2A homozygous deletion in CNS WHO grade 4 gliomas. Additionally, we plan to examine traditional prognostic factors for grade 4 gliomas and validate the findings. Materials: We conducted a retrospective analysis of the glioma cohorts at our institute. We reviewed medical records spanning a 15-year period and examined pathological slides for an updated diagnosis according to the 2021 WHO classification of CNS tumors. We examined the

GeneticsMedicine
13
Article|7 citations·2015
Epigenetic Role of Histone 3 Lysine Methyltransferase and Demethylase in Regulating Apoptosis Predicting the Recurrence of Atypical Meningioma
이상혁, 이은희, 이성헌, 이영민, 김형동, 김영준
Journal of Korean Medical Science

Alteration of apoptosis is related with progression and recurrence of atypical meningiomas (AMs). However, no comprehensive study has been conducted regarding histone modification regulating apoptosis in AMs. This study aimed to determine the prognostic values of certain apoptosis-associated factors, and examine the role of histone modification on apoptosis in AMs. The medical records of 67 patients with AMs, as diagnosed during recent 13 yr, were reviewed retrospectively. Immunohistochemical st

14
Article|6 citations·2011
Recent Trends of Laryngopharyngeal Reflux Disease
Sang Hyuk Lee, Se Hyung Huh
SJR Q4Korean Journal of Otorhinolaryngology - Head and Neck Surgery
GastroenterologyMedicine
15
Article|5 citations·2015
Non-Surgical Management for Benign Vocal Fold Lesions
Sang Hyuk Lee
Journal of The Korean Society of Laryngology Phoniatrics and LogopedicsOA

Benign vocal fold lesions, such as vocal nodules, polyps and Reinke's edema, usually result from chronic voice overuse. Conservative management such as voice therapy and pharmacotherapy are used as the primary treatment techniques. The main purpose of voice therapy is to identify and reduce voice misuse to achieve the optimal voice. But complete resolution may not be possible in all patients after voice therapy. Furthermore, some patients with voice-related occupations, voice rest and voice ther

PhysiologyMedicine

Research Areas

PhysiologySurgeryPulmonary and Respiratory MedicineOncologyGastroenterologyMolecular Biology

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